Washington Regional receives $2.5 million gift from J.B. Hunt Transport Services

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 680 views 

Lowell-based J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. donated $2.5 million to Washington Regional Medical Foundation in Fayetteville to enhance and expand neurological and cancer support services at Washington Regional Medical System in Northwest Arkansas.

The foundation said Washington Regional will name its neuroscience institute and new cancer support home after the logistics giant.

“J.B. Hunt’s generosity and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of those who live in Northwest Arkansas allows Washington Regional to continue to fulfill its mission of improving the health of people in the communities we serve,” Larry Shackelford, president and CEO of Washington Regional Medical System, said in a statement. “We’re so grateful to J.B. Hunt for this significant gift, which will allow us to achieve our goal of expanding much needed neurological and cancer support services to our community.”

The J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Neuroscience Institute provides comprehensive care for disorders of the brain and spine, offering Northwest Arkansas’ only neurosurgical intensive care unit, a stroke program and multiple clinic locations with experts in stroke, interventional neuroradiology, neurosurgery, conservative spine care and interventional pain management.

J.B. Hunt’s gift will provide funding for research, an expanded stroke program, facility updates, new technology, and specialized physicians and nurses.

“We are proud to support Washington Regional’s efforts to expand neurological and cancer support services in Northwest Arkansas,” said David Mee, executive vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer of J.B. Hunt. “J.B. Hunt believes in the importance of reinvesting in our communities, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact this will have on the health of patients and their families, including our employees.”

The new J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Cancer Support Home is expected to be completed in late 2020. It will be located on East Longview Street in Fayetteville and provide the same services as the current Cancer Support Home, but with additional amenities including eight overnight guest rooms with private bathrooms, an elevator and an expanded wig and prosthesis boutique. Overnight lodging and all CSH services will continue to be available at no cost to cancer patients and their families, easing the burdens of a cancer diagnosis. The mission of the Cancer Support Home is to provide hope and comfort to those learning to live with cancer, particularly the uninsured, underinsured, and minority populations.